Other than the gift of salvation, the anointing is our most precious gift.

1. SPIRIT

The simplest biblical definition of the anointing is, “the Spirit of the Lord.”  Luke 4:18 When Samuel anointed David the “Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward.”  I Samuel 16:13 Many people think of the Holy Spirit in mystical terms and fail to grasp the significance of His person.  “Now the Lord is the Spirit.”  II Corinthians 3:17 The apostle Paul warns us to “not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.”  Ephesians 4:30 We must develop a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit or will miss many important things God wants to accomplish through our lives.  Again, he said, “Do not quench the Spirit.  I Thessalonians 5:19 Is it possible for us to lose the anointing and not know it?  Samson did!  Judges 16:20

2. GIFT

To the spiritual person the supernatural becomes natural.  The spiritual person learns how to “walk in the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:16 The anointing isn’t something we earn or deserve.  The anointing is unmerited favor with God, it’s God’s grace upon our lives.  The anointing flows easily through our lives, and we function naturally without fatigue, because the Holy Spirit invigorates us as He moves though us.  Whenever God calls a person, He also enables them.  God never calls anyone to accomplish something without giving them the ability and opportunity to develop their level of competence.  Ecclesiastes 2:24

The Holy Spirit in His wisdom often incorporates our natural abilities and superimposes great grace upon them.  He builds upon our natural talents and gifts.  The operation of these gifts through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit appears supernatural to others but seems natural to those who exercise them.

A common mistake made by leaders is attempting to move outside our gifts and anointing.  Selfish ambition can cause us to promote ourselves.  When we do this, we have moved outside our anointing.  “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously.”  James 4:5 What the Holy Spirit wants is more of us, and if we give Him more of ourselves, “He gives (us) more grace,.. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6 God’s anointing is always legitimate.  It’s a gift.  It’s not something we obtain by selfish effort.

It is essential for ministers to be anointed with “fresh oil.”  Psalm 92:10 Fresh oil comes from a growing relationship with God.  It’s a mistake to try to minister today on yesterday’s anointing.  “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”  Matthew 5:6

3. FAITH

“God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.”  Romans 12:3 Every Christian has the Holy Spirit within them, but we do not have the same measure of faith.  The measure or the limit of our faith is our anointing.  

4. GRACE

For those who seek after God, He gives us “grace for grace.”  John 1:16 “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”  II Peter 3:18    God will give us grace for a greater anointing.

Joseph’s Anointing

Joseph’s anointing was genuine, but it needed refining.  He had an excellent gift of interpreting dreams, but he lacked an equal amount of grace to match his gift.  This is dangerous because it leads to destructive pride.  We should beware of allowing our gifts to take us beyond the development of our character.  When our gift takes us beyond our character, we’re sure to fall.

Joseph’s Testing

Great gifts must be refined.  God permitted him to be sold by his brothers as a slave to Egypt. In slavery, God allowed him to be falsely accused by his master’s wife and thrown into prison.  Even in prison he was forgotten by the men he befriended.  God’s purpose in allowing this was to develop an equal amount of grace in Joseph’s life to match his extraordinary gift.

Joseph’s Victory

The prison test showed that his gift still functioned, but it also refined his character.  Joseph was being prepared to rule over the very people who had done him wrong.  When his character was properly refined, God exalted him from the prison to the palace and made him the Prime Minister of Egypt.  It only took one day to exalt Joseph once his character was ready.  God knows how to lift us up.  Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  James 4:10 It is a mistake to try to exempt we from trouble or to exalt ourselves above others.  “For exaltation comes neither from the east or the west nor from the south.”  Psalm 75:6-7  

EXALTATION COMES FROM THE LORD!